FEMALES Procedure: Spaying/ OvariohysterectomySpaying can prevent the following:•Mammary (breast) tumors later in life•Cystic ovaries and uterine infections (pyometra)•Signs of estrus (heat)•Surplus puppies•Anesthesia is less of a risk at a younger age

MALES Procedure: Neutering/ CastrationNeutering can prevent the following:•Prostate Cancer later in life•Testicular cancer•The desire to roam the neighborhood

Common Facts about Spaying and Neutering•Spaying or neutering DOES NOT cause a pet to get fat or lazy - overfeeding and lack of exercise does.•Surgical risk is less due to modern anesthesia and techniques, but there is always some risk when an anesthetic is used.•It is much easier on the pet to be spayed before going through a heat cycle due to the smller size of the reproductive tract. •Surgery is performed painlessly while your pet is under general anesthesia. Post - surgical pain is controlled via medication.

FEMALES Procedure: Spaying/ OvariohysterectomySpaying can prevent the following:•Mammary (breast) tumors later in life•Cystic ovaries and uterine infections (pyometra)•Signs of estrus (heat)•Surplus puppies•Anesthesia is less of a risk at a younger age

MALES Procedure: Neutering/ CastrationNeutering can prevent the following:•Prostate Cancer later in life•Testicular cancer•The desire to roam the neighborhood

Common Facts about Spaying and Neutering•Spaying or neutering DOES NOT cause a pet to get fat or lazy - overfeeding and lack of exercise does.•Surgical risk is less due to modern anesthesia and techniques, but there is always some risk when an anesthetic is used.•It is much easier on the pet to be spayed before going through a heat cycle due to the smller size of the reproductive tract. •Surgery is performed painlessly while your pet is under general anesthesia. Post - surgical pain is controlled via medication.

CANINESOver forty years ago, the veterinary profession implemented a “six month spay and neutering policy/recommendation” to help combat pet overpopulation and decrease the risk of certain behaviors and mammary cancer. In the past five to ten years, veterinarians have begun to re-evaluate the policy by conducting studies that focus on other health concerns that may be affected by neutering and spaying at a young age. The largest component to these studies has been whether or not keeping an animal intact longer can decrease the risk of such conditions as ACL (knee) rupture, urinary leakage in females and some types of cancers. Skycrest as a whole is trying to stay up to date on the newest recommendations. In general, we are in favor of delaying spays and neuters to a more a mature time in these puppy’s lives; however, this comes with some potential complications as well. Please discuss the pros and cons of when to neuter with your doctor to determine the best option for the new addition to your family.

FELINESThe Humane Society of the United States estimates that 4 to 5 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year at animal shelters. Pet overpopulation should be a concern for all of us. This is why our clinic believes that all pets not intended for breeding or showing should be neutered or spayed between 6-9 months of age for the following reasons: